"From the men who were trying to hurt you?"
"Not hurt, Dane. Kill. They had a gun pointed at me just before I backflipped off the ship."
"G.o.d"s teeth!" he uttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Why?"
"None of your business." He scowled. "At least not until you admit that my story is true." She plopped onto the bed, making little sandwiches, her 257.
stomach growling at its emptiness. A thought sud
denly occurred to her, her breath jamming in her
throat. "You believe me?" she said around a chunk
of bread.
"I will consider you may have been on this sc.r.a.p of land."
Her hopes soared. "How could I not if it hasn"t already been charted or inhabited? In my time, Dane, it"s populated with hotels and resorts."
When he simply stared at her, she sighed, shaking her head, focusing her attention on the food. Shiny, blue-black hair draped over her arm as she selected a slice of fruit, then popped it in her mouth. She glanced up, grinned sheepishly, then continued to eat. She"d been waiting for him, he realized, picking up a chunk of pork and biting into it.
She shifted, the robe gaping to reveal those gorgeous legs, and he allowed his gaze to travel up the muscled length. She was fit and happy and her mind sound except for the occasions when she-his gaze shot to the desk where he could see the black writing instrument. A cruel warning lanced through his heart, piercing his closed mind. He recalled every instance where she"d voiced her claim of traveling through time, and then there were the dates she"d quoted, the events to come, the amazing items she produced from the gaudy satchel, her knowledge of medicine she insisted was meager, the valuable aid she"d given with her potions. Even his own pain had vanished with the taking of the white pills. Granted, she was an unusual woman, and her tales outlandish, but she was not stupid. And then there was the island. How can I ignore so much? But to 258.
travel from the future?
Her words from dinner the previous night haunted him; the commissioning of a permanent naval force. The President had discussed this possibility with him only a few months ago. "Twas the reason Dane"s ships were in Caribbean waters: to protect the Colonies from the British and French that had been attacking American crafts for the past several months. Twas an effort to keep a rein on the growing commerce, and Dane"s orders were to seize any threatening vessel. He toyed with the fork, watching the lamplight twinkle off the silver. What else can she tell me? he wondered. Will I soon receive orders to halt all French and British ships? And if they reach the Florida coast and should raise an army? Dane conceded the possibility; England still manned forts in the Colonies, and the French owned Louisiana and Florida. Was this the makings of the French revolt? Or the seeds of a war she says will not come for another three and twenty years? How had Tess known of this brewing trouble except if "twere history to her? he reasoned. His mind floundered until he forced himself to ask her questions.
"Tell me more, Tess?"
No answer. He glanced up to see her leaning back against the far bedpost, sound asleep, a crust of bread lying in relaxed fingers. He smiled tenderly, removing the tray and easing her down onto the mattress. She curled in a ball with a sigh. He tossed the blanket over her, then brushed the hair from her face, touching his lips to her temple. Her scent was glorious. He"d given his word, but the call of nature 259.
beckoned relief. Dane went slowly, cautiously shifting his legs over the side of the bed. His feet touched and, grasping the post, he stood. He felt no lightheadedness and took a step.
His foot landed on something small and cold, and he looked down, then bent slowly and picked up the shiny silver object.
He turned it over in his hand. "Sweet Christ!" he whispered, goose flesh racing up his spine, the icy fingers making the hair on his neck stand on end.
260.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.
Dane stared in shock, sweat beading on his upper lip, his body trembling so violently he could scarcely control it. Embossed on the bright metal was the silhouette of his President and beneath that, a date- 1967. 1967! Nineteen. His fingers closed tightly over the coin, and he dropped his head forward. Nay. It couldn"t be. He looked again, and it seemed to shout at him. Liberty! In G.o.d We Trust! United States of America! G.o.d"s teeth. The future! Currency from the future!
Was he going mad? Nay. Twas impossible for her to have minted the coin herself. He turned sharply, staring at the woman sleeping in his bed and the truth he"d just begun to consider hit him like a punch to his gut. Numbly he dropped onto the mattress, knowing in his palm he held positive proof.
Tess Renfrew had traveled back two centuries.
How in G.o.d"s name had she accomplished such a feat?
He remembered the night of the battle and how upset she had been, her cries of wanting to be re- 261.
turned home-to her time. Had she just realized what had happened to her then? The thought was enough to send a shiver up over his spine and into his scalp. The dolphin brought her, she"d claimed, through the wall. Dane"s head turned slowly to the window, his memory of the storm, the curtain of black mist, so clear it was like he was seeing it for the first time. And the eerie vessel, mountainous, white, shifting position so quickly he"d thought himself suddenly losing his senses. Twas the Na.s.sau Queen, he realized, and prayed to G.o.d she"d left her a.s.sa.s.sins behind.
"For the sake of the lady"s reputation, Duncan, leave the door ajar."
"Aye, sir."
"Close it, McPete," Tess mumbled into the pillow. "I"m awake." She lifted her head and turned toward the sound of Dane"s voice. Dane was sitting at his desk, bare feet propped on the surface. "And you promised to stay in bed."
He smiled as she sat up and shoved hair out of her face. "I promised only until the morning." Tess glanced to the window, then pushed aside the white netting and climbed from the bed, rewrapping the robe as she walked to him. He poured tea from the service sitting to his left and slid a cup toward her. She ignored it, resting her hip against the desk and checking his bandage, his pupils, and his pulse. The latter was a little fast.
"Does my state of wellness meet with your approval?"
262.
"Hardly. You should be in that bed, resting. Not doing this." She waved at the ledgers, papers, and instruments littering the desk.
"I am fine, Tess, truly."
She snorted. "Then don"t come crying to me when your head starts pounding like a Russian racehorse."
He stared at her, wondering what it was like for her to discover herself thrown back into a time that could only be quite primitive.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
His gaze never wavering, his hand slipped from the arm of the chair and came up with her yellow satchel. Her eyes widened as he dropped it onto the desk.
"Show me the future, Tess."
Her gaze shot between the bag and him as she straightened. "Wh-what? Ah-ah-" She swallowed, and Dane watched as tears bloomed in her eyes, brimmed, then slowly trickled down her cheeks. She trembled, and he saw the pulse at the base of her throat quicken. Slowly he slid his feet from the desk. With a strangled cry of his name, she fell into his arms. Gently he pulled her onto his lap, pressing her head to his chest. She cried, deep, heavy weeping that enveloped him, absorbed into his skin, penetrated into his bones. She struggled to control it, but then it unleashed itself in a fresh wave, and Dane felt the torment she had suffered these past weeks. Because he wouldn"t believe.
"Shhh, love, cease, I beg you," he whispered, gently rubbing her spine. " Tis killing me, your tears." Tess lifted her head, swiping at her cheeks.
263.
"When?" she croaked, then swallowed. "What made you change your mind?"
He sighed, dropping his head back. "I suspected the truth of your words when you first made mention of the islands-"
"But that was before the battle!" she interrupted.
"Aye." He looked down at her. " Twas your conviction, in every word you spoke, that set me to wondering. I found myself making sense of your logic, and I admit, la.s.s, "twas unnerving to say the least. Yet with the dates you quoted, "twas all far too accurate for any man to ignore." He smiled into her smug face, fingering a raven lock, then absently bringing it to his nose and inhaling the scent of spiced flowers. "You"ve a way about you, la.s.s, openly defiant. Even Ram noticed." The brief darkening of his features said he didn"t care for that observation. "Coupled with your extraordinary physical abilities and that political discussion with my men - " He paused. "You know what is to come, that we will tax ourselves." She nodded. "And the Naval Forces?"
"In a few years," she answered.
He was thoughtful for a few seconds, then suddenly grinned. "We would have begun this discussion last eve, but you very rudely nodded off when I was about to question you further."
She snuggled cozily. "I"m sorry I did now."
He held her gaze, his expression regretful. "I confess I thought you insane, Tess. I did not want to believe "twas possible and tried to find a reason for your peculiar behavior."
"It"s okay. I considered all this," she waved absently at the cabin, "and you, an eccentric on a fan- 264.
tasy pleasure cruise. So it took me a while to believe it, too. But why didn"t you just write me off as some escapee from the loony bin?"
He chuckled at her choice of words. "Because you, sweet witch-" he tapped her nose " - are not a woman any man with but an ounce of feeling can ignore." Compliments embarra.s.s her, he thought, enjoying her flushing cheeks. She wore her desire like a sensual cloak over her body, and since she"d risen from the bed, he"d tried to ignore it. The woman has naught but to turn those smoke gray eyes on me and I am charred to cinders, he realized, shifting her on his lap and lowering his head. His lips brushed hers, and she moaned his name, leaping up to meet him. To h.e.l.l with it, he decided, giving up his meager battle. Her hands slid around his neck, and she blossomed beneath him, letting him taste her happiness.
Tongues dueled softly, and Tess leaned back, making him chase her. She laughed, deep and throaty, and he lifted a brow, accepting the challenge. Abruptly he drew her legs over the arms of the chair, imprisoning her in the circle of his embrace as he feasted on her mouth, his fingers loosening the ties to the robe. She curled toward him as his hand prowled beneath the velvet, stroking her bare ribs, then moving forward to smooth over her breast. Her skin was so soft. His thumb brushed her nipple, feeling it plump and harden beneath his touch. Gently he ma.s.saged, rotating her breast, and she whimpered against his lips, her fingers plowing into his hair, her body eager and warm for more. He separated the robe and pulled her tighter against him, enjoying the pleasure of her soft bosom pressed to his bare chest.
265.
She purred in his arms, panting his name into his ear as she licked and nibbled his lobe. A blast of fire ava-lanched down his body. His hand drifted to the deep curve of her waist; over her hip and down the smooth, pale thigh. He heard her breath catch and held her gaze as a callused hand slid between her legs, her look of antic.i.p.ation making him breathless.
A knock sounded.
"Go away!" they both shouted, the moment frozen, and footsteps rapidly retreated. Tess bubbled with quiet laughter as Dane cursed viciously, shifting uncomfortably beneath her.
Pa.s.sion cooled by the interruption, she sighed, dropping her legs from the arm of the chair and adjusting the robe. "For once, I"d like to be with you without the entire ship knowing," she muttered as she sat upright.
Her words sent a sharp thrill spearing into his chest. The confession was so matter-of-fact, Dane didn"t dare question the depth of it, but "twas a confession just the same. He suddenly needed to hear more of them.
She glanced meaningfully at the bag sitting on the desk. "Sure you"re ready for this?"
Dane closed his eyes briefly and nodded.
Tess left his lap and perched herself on the edge of the desk. Tossing her hair back over her shoulder, she unzipped the bag. The sound made Dane flinch, and he reached out to examine the sack more closely, moving the slide back and forth.
"Ingenious," he whispered, then, satisfied with his perusal, sat back to allow her to continue. An odd sensation swept rapidly down his back as she over- 266.
turned the bag on his desk. Quickly she started stuffing garments back inside.
"Wait," he said, lifting a small odd-shaped sc.r.a.p. He held it by the silk ribbons, turning it this way and that, then lifted his puzzled gaze to Tess.
"It"s a bra," she explained, s.n.a.t.c.hing it up and placing it against her chest.
His brows rose, then a devilish smile grazed his lips. " Tis a garment I would like to see properly worn," he commented, watching her blush.
"In your dreams, pirate," she teased, dropping it into the bag, then handed him her wallet. "My identification," she said, and at his frown, told him that everyone carried something like it in her time. "It gets you in places, proves who you are. That"s a driver"s license," she added when he slipped the plastic-coated card free, deciding not to go into the subject of cars just yet.
Dane rubbed his fingertip over the likeness of her, marveling at the clarity. "Twas amazing, he thought, as she explained the way to capture the images on paper through something called a camera. Then to his astonishment, she showed him ones of her parents and friends.
"Who is this?" he said curtly, gesturing to the photo of a blond young man.
"Just an old college friend," she replied, her eyes twinkling at the spark of jealousy. He tossed the photo aside, then fished in his pocket.
"Have you more like this?" he asked, holding out the silver coin. Her eyes widened, then narrowed sharply.
"So-you believed me before-!" She made a wild 267.
grab for the quarter, but his hand jerked back out of her reach, her angry momentum causing her to slip off the desk. He stood, his arm shooting out to catch her and pull her flush against him.
"Aye, Tess." He cupped the curve of her jaw with a warm palm, his eyes intense, penetrating. "I swear by the blood of my sister, la.s.s, I have always known you had come to me by a sweep of G.o.d"s hand."
Tess was still. "Please don"t lie to me about this, Dane."
Silver gray eyes begged for the truth. She looked so vulnerable, so fragile, and Dane understood how much it meant to her that he had believed before he"d seen the proof. "Never, love. She softened against him in a way that drove him wild.
"Thank you," she whispered, closing her eyes, her hand covering the one that held her jaw. The coin must have been the clincher, she thought, then looked up. "That"s a fourth of a dollar," she told him, giving him a quick, hard kiss, then hopping back onto the desk.
He shook his head as he took his seat, constantly amazed at her resilience.
Tess opened the change purse to her wallet and dumped the contents on the desk, letting him investigate at his leisure, answering his questions about the coinage, its value. He chuckled secretly to himself when he viewed the face of Thomas Jefferson on a nickel, then tossed it aside, but went still as granite when she slipped a dollar bill out. Dane gaped at the likeness of his president.
"The father of our country," she said, watching him carefully.
268.
He would be most pleased at that, Dane thought, looking over the paper currency embellished with future presidents. Later he would discuss them with her and why they were honored on scrip.
Her wallet in a pile of money, ID"s, and old receipts, Tess simply folded her arms and watched. He scrutinized each item, opening travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant; sniffing; reading the labels; and she had to stop him when he went to taste the cherry-scented shampoo. He relaxed back into the chair with the travel brochure, his brows furrowed tightly as he studied the miniature map. He opened another fold, then lifted wide eyes to her, straightening.
"This woman is naked!" He shook the pamphlet in her face.
The corner of her mouth quirked. "Not quite. She has on a swimsuit. What one wears to frolic in the water," she defined dryly. G.o.d, he looked ready to pop. "A bikini," she added without mercy.
"Ah, Tess, you -ah, you - " He swallowed, unable to ask for fear of the answer.